World War II vet awarded honorary diploma from Ridgefield Park High School

By Stacey Rosenfeld

Staff Writer |

Ridgefield Park Patriot

RIDGEFIELD PARK - History was made when Ridgefield Park High School recently bestowed its first honorary diploma on World War II veteran George Dammeyer, an octogenarian who holds the distinction of being the school's first inductee to its Wall of Achievement who did not graduate high school.

Ridgefield Park High School presented its first honorary diploma to George Dammeyer, a Ridgefield Park High School student in 1944, who did not graduate because he joined the U.S. navy instead. Above is his 1943 class photo.

Dammeyer was poised to be a member of the RPHS graduating class of 1944. However, he left school during the first half of his senior year to join the United States Navy, where he was assigned to the U.S. Naval Combat Demolition Unit.

In June of 1944, as his RPHS classmates were getting ready to graduate, Dammeyer, then 18, became a part of the Neptune phase of Operation Overlord, more commonly known as the Invasion of Normandy Beach on June 6, 1944.

"This successful operation would signify the death knell for the German Army and ultimately lead to the collapse of the Axis Powers; with the end of the war coming less than a year later on May 8, 1945, a day to become known as V-E Day," said Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Eric Koenig.

After his role at Normandy, Dammeyer remained a part of the naval amphibious forces and went on to serve in France, Italy and Scotland. He garnered several medals for his service, including the American Campaign Medal of WWII; a WWII Victory Commendation; a Europe/Africa/Middle East WWII Commendation; and the Chevalier French Legion of Honor.

Dammeyer ultimately left the Navy in September of 1946, and returned to his hometown of Ridgefield Park. He married another Village native, Alma Haines, in October of 1946, and embarked on a career with Star Parts in Hackensack. Eventually he was transferred to Weatherly, Penn. and promoted to plant manager in 1964, a role he filled until his retirement in 1976.

Dammeyer remains a resident of Pennsylvania.

Koenig chided, "George followed all that up with what perhaps is his most heroic feat of all... a marriage of 67 years and counting, and raising a family of five children, 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren."

Recently, the school district learned that despite all of his accomplishments, one of Dammeyer's biggest regrets was never receiving his high school diploma.

Koenig explained, "This bit of information set the wheels in motion to ascertain the legal parameters for issuing honorary diplomas. Once clearance was received from the New Jersey State Department of Education, it was decided by the district administration that George Dammeyer would be the first recipient of an honorary diploma from the Ridgefield Park School District for his valor and contributions to society and our country."

"George Dammeyer is a true national hero," said Koenig. "He is a part of a generation of Americans who not only shaped world history and cemented the United States as the World Power, but they did so after growing up through the Great Depression."

Dammeyer was unable to attend a formal recognition ceremony and the diploma was mailed to his Pennsylvania residence, Koenig explained.

Ridgefield Park Interim Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John Richardson, said he knows the giving and receiving of the diploma "are mutually gratifying."

Dammeyer told the Ridgefield Park Patrot that he is "very appreciative" of the honor.

"I actually didn't realize how much a diploma meant to me until I was faced with having it," he said.

The Wall of Achievement is sponsored by the Ridgefield Park Alumni Foundation, whose mission is "to recognize alumni of the school who have made significant contributions to society through success in their careers or through service to their communities," according to the alumni association website, https://sites.google. com/site/ridgefieldparkalumni.

This year's inductees will be recognized at the senior awards and scholarship banquet at the Fiesta in Wood Ridge on May 20.

World War II vet awarded honorary diploma from Ridgefield Park High School

By Stacey Rosenfeld

Staff Writer |

Ridgefield Park Patriot

RIDGEFIELD PARK - History was made when Ridgefield Park High School recently bestowed its first honorary diploma on World War II veteran George Dammeyer, an octogenarian who holds the distinction of being the school's first inductee to its Wall of Achievement who did not graduate high school.

Ridgefield Park High School presented its first honorary diploma to George Dammeyer, a Ridgefield Park High School student in 1944, who did not graduate because he joined the U.S. navy instead. Above is his 1943 class photo.

Dammeyer was poised to be a member of the RPHS graduating class of 1944. However, he left school during the first half of his senior year to join the United States Navy, where he was assigned to the U.S. Naval Combat Demolition Unit.

In June of 1944, as his RPHS classmates were getting ready to graduate, Dammeyer, then 18, became a part of the Neptune phase of Operation Overlord, more commonly known as the Invasion of Normandy Beach on June 6, 1944.

"This successful operation would signify the death knell for the German Army and ultimately lead to the collapse of the Axis Powers; with the end of the war coming less than a year later on May 8, 1945, a day to become known as V-E Day," said Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Eric Koenig.

After his role at Normandy, Dammeyer remained a part of the naval amphibious forces and went on to serve in France, Italy and Scotland. He garnered several medals for his service, including the American Campaign Medal of WWII; a WWII Victory Commendation; a Europe/Africa/Middle East WWII Commendation; and the Chevalier French Legion of Honor.

Dammeyer ultimately left the Navy in September of 1946, and returned to his hometown of Ridgefield Park. He married another Village native, Alma Haines, in October of 1946, and embarked on a career with Star Parts in Hackensack. Eventually he was transferred to Weatherly, Penn. and promoted to plant manager in 1964, a role he filled until his retirement in 1976.

Dammeyer remains a resident of Pennsylvania.

Koenig chided, "George followed all that up with what perhaps is his most heroic feat of all... a marriage of 67 years and counting, and raising a family of five children, 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren."

Recently, the school district learned that despite all of his accomplishments, one of Dammeyer's biggest regrets was never receiving his high school diploma.

Koenig explained, "This bit of information set the wheels in motion to ascertain the legal parameters for issuing honorary diplomas. Once clearance was received from the New Jersey State Department of Education, it was decided by the district administration that George Dammeyer would be the first recipient of an honorary diploma from the Ridgefield Park School District for his valor and contributions to society and our country."

"George Dammeyer is a true national hero," said Koenig. "He is a part of a generation of Americans who not only shaped world history and cemented the United States as the World Power, but they did so after growing up through the Great Depression."

Dammeyer was unable to attend a formal recognition ceremony and the diploma was mailed to his Pennsylvania residence, Koenig explained.

Ridgefield Park Interim Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John Richardson, said he knows the giving and receiving of the diploma "are mutually gratifying."

Dammeyer told the Ridgefield Park Patrot that he is "very appreciative" of the honor.

"I actually didn't realize how much a diploma meant to me until I was faced with having it," he said.

The Wall of Achievement is sponsored by the Ridgefield Park Alumni Foundation, whose mission is "to recognize alumni of the school who have made significant contributions to society through success in their careers or through service to their communities," according to the alumni association website, https://sites.google. com/site/ridgefieldparkalumni.

This year's inductees will be recognized at the senior awards and scholarship banquet at the Fiesta in Wood Ridge on May 20.